Allianz Field starting to take shape off I-94 in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - In exactly one year, the Minnesota United will get the keys to their new Major League Soccer stadium in St. Paul. 

Allianz Field is starting to take shape in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, with passerby noticing the steel structure off Interstate 94 that's seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the last few weeks. 

Dr. Bill McGuire, owner of the Minnesota United, says people are starting to notice the stadium is “architecturally beautiful.” 

Construction on the nearly 20,000-seat stadium began last June and is currently on schedule, according to project manager Greg Huber.  As of Feb. 20, the stadium is 40 percent complete. The sod for the pitch and the seats will be installed in October and the stadium is expected to be ready in time for the Loons’ 2019 season.

Mortenson Construction is the firm behind the project. They've had a hand in nearly every professional sports facility in the Twin Cities, including U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium. 

Huber says Allianz Field differs from other stadiums in the metro because it’s design is more focused on the fan experience. The United’s two supporters groups, Dark Clouds and True North Elite, will have their own section above the south goal. There will be no sitting down for the superfans, not that they’d want to anyway -- the supporters section will only have standing seats, with space for approximately 2,800 people. Each row will be separated by railings. 

Between the aluminum floor and the proximity of the seats to the goal, Huber and his team say the supporters section will be “loud.” 

While their future home remains under construction, the Loons will continue to play at TCF Bank Stadium. They open their 2018 season on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 3. The first home game is on Saturday, March 17 against the Chicago Fire.